ibvine



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

R. O. IRVINE.

BITTING AND DRIVING HARNESS.

Patented Mar. 10, 1885.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. R. O. IRVINE.

BITTING AND DRIVING HARNESS.

No. 313,673. Patented Mar. 10, 1885.

N. PETERS. Pnnwumu m her. Washingml. 0 0.

Unirrnn S'rarns lfararvr @rvrcn.

RICHARD O. IRVINE, OF SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA.

BlTTlNG AND DFZlVlNG HARNESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,673, dated March10, 1885.

Application filed November 10, 1884. (So moiltl.)

My invention relates to the class of harness and to certain new anduseful improvements there1n,by which a hitting-harness may readily beconverted into a driving-harness, and vice versa.

My invention consists in the adaptation of the hip-straps of thedriving-harness to serve as the side back-straps of the hitting-harness;in a fastening on each side of the saddle adapted to engage the ends ofthe side backstraps and the side check'straps of the bittingharness andthe shaft-bearers and tugs of the driving-harness, and in suitablefastenings upon said straps by which their various engagements arereadily effected, all of which I shall hereinafter fully explain.

In teaching a colt to become accustomed to the bit, or, as it is usuallytermed, to become bridle-wise, a harness known as a bitting harness isemployed. This differs from the ordinary driving-harness in the omissionof some parts and the changed construction and adaptation of others tomake the harness serve the purpose intended. To illustrate this, thebreeching, the shaft-bearers and tugs, and the driving-reins,which arealways present in the driving-harness, are omitted in thebitting-harness, the object being not to put the colt to work but toteach him to become ac customed to the bit. The hitting-harness isusually a separate and distinct harness from the driving-harness, andthey cannot be used interchangeably.

It is the object of my invention to provide, by means of a properconstruction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, a harness which canreadily be converted from one to the other kind and answer effectivelyfor either.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isa View showingtheharness when converted into a hitting-harness and applied to a colt.Fig. ,2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the saddle. Fig. 3is a view showing the application of the driving-harness.

. A is the usual saddle, secured by the bellyband a. B is the turn-backstrap, and G the crapper. Secured to the rear portion of the turn-backstrap are the straps D,wh.ich in the hitting-harness serve as sidebaclcstraps, Fig. 1, and in the driving-harness, Fig. 3 serve as theusual hip-straps. In the latter harness they are secured to and supportthe breeching E by means of any suitable snap-hook, d, buckle, or otherfastening, though I prefer a snap-hook as being the most easily andquickly adjusted.

In the hitting-harness, the breeching being omitted, the straps arereadily disengaged from it, and are then carried forward and snappedinto a loop, m, on the side of the saddle below the rein-ring, as shownin Fig. 2. As will be seen by this figu re, the loop at forms one ofthree loops of a plate or casting, M, riveted to the saddle. Theopposite loop is designated bym, and the lower central one bym". I donot, however, confine myself to the plate M as a means for attaching thevarious straps, for other forms of fastenings may be used; but I preferthe'three-looped plate for its simplicity and effectiveness.

The bridle F may be any suitable bridle either for driving or breaking,as either will answer the purpose of the other to an extent sufficientto warrant itsuse. The check rein or strap f of the bridle is hooked tothe saddle, as usual.

G, Fig. 1, are the side check-straps, provided with snap-hooks, theforward ends being snapped into the rings of the bit, and their rearends being snapped into the loop in of the plate M.

When used as a driving-harness, the side check-straps, G, are easilyremoved and omitted, as they are not needed, the driving-reins H, Fig.3, being substituted and properly directed.

The shaftbearers and tugs I, 3, of the driving-harness, and which areabsent in the bitting'harness, are provided with snap-hooks and engageor are otherwise secured to the lower loop, 771 of plate M.

In order to convert the driving -harness (shown in Fig. 3) into thehitting-harness of Fig. 1, I first unhook the hipstraps D from thebreeching which is dispensed with) and carry ICO the said straps forwardand hook them to loop m, forming the side back-straps, D, of Fig. 1. Ithen unhook and dispense with the shaft-bearers and tugs I, dispensewith the usual breaststrap and traces and reins, and put on the sidecheck-straps,G, securing them to the bit-rings and loops m, as shown. Inthis manner but one set of harness is required to answer both purposes,and the conversion from one to the other may be easily and quickly made.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a convertible hitting and drivingharness, the straps D, in combination with the plate M, whereby saidstraps are adapted to be used for either hip-straps or side straps,substantially as herein described.

2. In aconvertible bitting and driving harness, the side back-straps. D,of the hitting-harness secured to the turn-back strap and to the saddle,adapted to be employed for the hipstraps of a driving-harness,substantially as herein described. I

3, In a convertible hitting and driving harness, the straps D, securedby one end to the turn-back strap, and provided with means whe eby it isadapted to be secured by their other ends'to either the saddle or thebreeching, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

I 4. In a convertible hitting and driving harness, the hip-straps D ofthe driving-harness,

in combination with-the saddle provided with a suitable connectingdevice to engage said straps when freed of the breeching, whereby theyform the side back-straps of the bittingharness, substantially as hereindescribed.

5. In a convertible hitting and driving harness, the hip-straps D of thedriving-harness, having suitable fastenings by which they are attachedto the breeching, in combination with the saddle A, having a loop orring, m, upon each side, whereby the hip-straps, when freed from thebreeching, may engage the saddle to form the side back-straps of thebitting-harness, substantially as herein described.

6. In a convertible bitting and driving harness, the combination of thesaddle A, provided with the three-looped plates M, one on each side, thestraps D, provided with snap hooks, and adapted to engage the breechingor the rear loop of the plates M,and forming, according to theirengagement, the hip-straps of a driving-harness or the side back-strapsof a hitting-harness, the side check-straps, G, provided with snap-hooksengaging the bitrings and the forward loop of the plates M, and theshaft-bearers and tugs I, provided with snap-hooks engaging the lowerloops of said plates, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RICHARD o. IRVINE.

